“Palo wasn’t expected to make it much less thrive. The hard work from the staff at the shelter, along with the PUPS program, were I’m positive, a big factor in his relatively easy transition to our family.” –Dave Mencarelli, Palo’s adopter.
When the Mencarelli family went to meet Palo, it was an act of bravery on Palo’s part that helped the family make the decision to adopt him. Given Palo’s background, being recused from a bad situation in California with a broken jaw, it’s no wonder he was frightened and unsure of strangers. But when he met the Mencarelli family, he knew they were his people.
“When my wife and I met him, he came right up to us. Given his history, we were still a little worried about taking him but we decided that him not being afraid of us was a sign and we wanted to try to give him a happy home.” –Dave Mencarelli, Palo’s adopter.
And a happy home he has.
It was actually Palo’s difficult background that led Dave and his family to want to meet Palo. The Mencarelli’s wanted to give Palo a chance and show him that his previous unsuccessful adoptions were a thing of the past. Palo graduated from our PUPS on Parole program – a program where our dogs are paired with a prisoner at Warm Springs Correctional Center to give the dog additional socialization and one-on-one time to develop skills, build confidence and learn basic commands.
“We were told he was a PUPS graduate but some people along the way were afraid he wouldn’t make it,” Dave said. “We thought it was worth a shot to bring him home with us and see if he would adjust and he certainly has. Plus, it didn’t hurt that he was super cute!”
Since being adopted in September, Palo has fallen head over heels in love with Belinda, Dave’s wife. He also gets along with the other dogs in the house and is very comfortable in his new home.
“It felt like he’d been with us forever,” Dave said. “He loves to snuggle and we love snuggling with him. He also enjoys playing a modified version of fetch where he’ll bring the ball back halfway and make us go get it from him. We love to watch him play because it’s something we thought he might never do!”
The Mencarelli family, which also includes daughter, Maya, is no stranger to helping dogs in need. Before they adopted Palo, they adopted Shadow as a hospice foster who they only had for six months. Adding Palo to their family has brought so much love and joy into the home especially during the pandemic. Dave, who has type one diabetes, has been staying home as much as possible –with Palo right by his side.
“He brings us so much laughter and joy with his crooked smile and his quirky personality. Every day we think about what he’s endured up until coming to join our family and it makes us happy to know we are able to provide a safe and loving home for him.” –Dave Mencarelli, Palo’s adopter.
The Mencarelli’s just added another hospice foster to their family and credit the Humane Society staff for ensuring these animals find safe and loving homes.
“I would say that in my several experiences adopting from the Nevada Humane Society the love and care for the dogs makes a huge difference,” Dave said. “Palo wasn’t expected to make it much less thrive. The hard work from the staff at the shelter, along with the PUPS program, were I’m positive, a big factor in his relatively easy transition to our family.”
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